of subordination which they acquire from a life of servitude, will make them sooner become soldiers than our white inhabitants.  Let officers be men of sense and sentiment; and the nearer the soldiers approach to machines, perhaps the better.

“I foresee that this project will have to combat much opposition from prejudice and self-interest.  The contempt we have been taught to entertain for the blacks makes us fancy many things that are founded neither in reason nor experience; and an unwillingness to part with property of so valuable a kind will furnish a thousand arguments to show the impracticability or pernicious tendency of a scheme which requires such a sacrifice.  But it should be considered, that, if we do not make use of them in this way, the enemy probably will; and that the best way to counteract the temptations they will hold out will be to offer them ourselves.  An essential part of the plan is to give them their freedom with their muskets.  This will secure their fidelity, animate their courage, and, I believe, will have a good influence upon those who remain, by opening a door to their emancipation.  This circumstance, I confess, has no small weight in inducing me to wish the success of the project, for the dictates of humanity, and true policy, equally interest me in favor of this unfortunate class of men.

                    “With the truest respect and esteem,
                         “I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
                                        “ALEX.  HAMILTON."[563]

The condition of the Southern States became a matter of Congressional solicitude.  The letter of Col.  Hamilton was referred to a special committee on the 29th of March, 1779.  It was represented that South Carolina especially was in great danger.  The white population was small; and, while there were some in the militia service, it was thought necessary to keep as large a number of whites at home as possible.  The fear of insurrection, the desertion[564] of Negroes to the enemy, and the exposed condition of her border, intensified the anxiety of the people.  The only remedy seemed to lie in the employment of the more fiery spirits among the Negroes as the defenders of the rights and interests of the colonists.  Congress rather hesitated to act,—­it was thought that that body lacked the authority to order the enlistment of Negroes in the States,—­and therefore recommended to “the states of South Carolina and Georgia, if they shall think the same expedient, to take measures immediately for raising three thousand able-bodied negroes.”  After some consideration the following plan was recommended by the special committee, and adopted:—­

     “IN CONGRESS, March 29, 1779.

“The Committee, consisting of Mr. Burke, Mr. Laurens, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Wilson, and Mr. Dyer, appointed to take into consideration the circumstances of the Southern States, and the ways and means for their safety and defence, report,—­

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